Geuddae geusaramdeul (2005)

Director:

Sang-soo Im

Writer:

Sang-soo Im (writer)

Release Date:

3 February 2005 (South Korea)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | History

Plot:

A look at the life of President Park Chung-hee and the events leading up to his assassination.

Plot Keywords:

President | Assassination | Democracy | Corruption | General

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jae-ho Song	...	President Park Chun-hee
Suk-kyu Han	...	KCIA Chief Agent Ju
Yun-shik Baek	...	KCIA Director Kim
Won-jung Jeong	...	President's Chief Bodyguard Cha
Sang-geon Jo
Sang-ho Kim	...	KCIA Agent Jang
Byung-gil Kwun	...	President's Chief Secreatry Yang
Jae-gu Lee	...	KCIA Agent Kwon
Seong-wook Kim
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dong-hun Choi	...	Army surgeon
Sang-gun Cho	...	KCIA Safehouse Caretaker Shim
Won Yung Chung
Eun-ji Jo	...	Banquet Guest
Sang-kyun Jo
Jong-jun Jung
Eung-soo Kim	...	KCIA Agent Colonel Min
Seung-wook Kim	...	KCIA Agent Won
Tae-han Kim	...	KCIA Agent Song
Yoon-ah Kim	...	Singer
Youn-a Kim

Also Known As:

The President's Last Bang (International: English title)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Japanese | Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 | Singapore:NC-16 | Japan:PG-12 | UK:15 | France:U (with warning) | South Korea:15

Company:

MK Pictures

Trivia:

Four minutes of documentary footage in the movie was censored by the courts which claimed that it would confuse viewers who may believe this film is non-fiction. The film-makers opted to leave four minutes of black screen where the scenes were cut. The film has since been shown in its original version at the Pusan International Film Festival. The Supreme Court overruled its previous case, so the filmmakers were able to add the deleted footage.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Chief Ju is seen driving a Renault 19 that wasn't released until 1988.

Great Korean Political Drama

This film is supremely stylish throughout. It informs the viewer about the reputation of the regime, the political pressures from the USA, the fear of attack from the North and the desire to replicate Japan without ever patronising the viewer of shoving it down your throat.

The lead performances, particularly that of the KCIA agents, are outstanding. The film exudes style in every shot, from the 'Blue House' as the quintessential VIP 'entertainment venue' to the military fatigues in the army HQ. The cars and suits demonstrate an appreciation of the kind of Hong Kong cinema Tarantino is so fond of plundering.

The film's triumph is to never let you sympathise or detest one character too much, that ambiguity allows for the stock of characters to rise and fall as their motives become at the same time clearer and more misguided.

Visually arresting with realistic and extreme violence the film is not for the faint hearted.